What is lacking in Christ's afflictions?

Understanding the Central Verse

Colossians 1:24 reads, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.” This phrase naturally raises the question: How can anything be “lacking” in Christ’s afflictions if He completed salvation on the cross (John 19:30)? The solution lies in recognizing that there is no deficiency in Christ’s redemptive work. Instead, this “lack” refers to the ongoing participation of believers in the suffering of Christ for the benefit of the church and the advancement of His kingdom.

Christ’s Perfect Work of Redemption

Scripture consistently portrays Christ’s sacrifice as entirely sufficient for the salvation of humanity. Hebrews 10:14 emphasizes, “For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Christ’s atoning work lacks nothing in power, completeness, or scope.

When Colossians 1:24 speaks of something “lacking,” it does not imply any shortfall in the atonement or in Jesus’ ability to save. Instead, it points us to a different dimension: the believer’s role in suffering as part of spreading and embodying the message of the gospel.

Participation of Believers in Christ’s Sufferings

Paul taught that believers share in Christ’s sufferings as members of His body. Romans 8:17 states, “And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.” The “lacking” refers to the future experiences of believers who face trials, persecution, and hardship as an extension of Christ’s ministry through the church (Philippians 1:29).

In other words, while Christ’s redemptive suffering is complete and final, the suffering Christ endures through His people continues in history. This is not to add atoning merit, but to display and proclaim Christ’s victory in new contexts and generations.

Building Up the Church Through Suffering

Paul endured hardships in his missionary journeys (2 Corinthians 11:23–28), but he saw his sufferings as a means of building up the early communities of faith. In Colossians 1:24, he links these personal tribulations with the afflictions of Christ, viewing them as opportunities to demonstrate sacrificial love, teach perseverance, and strengthen believers. These sufferings “fill up” or complete the church’s collective portrayal of Christ’s sacrificial love in the world.

By sharing in Christ’s sufferings, believers not only reflect Jesus’ character (1 Peter 2:21) but also bring His message into new situations. Just as Christ’s afflictions proclaimed God’s redemptive plan, so the sufferings of His people can draw others to faith, edify the church, and point to the sufficiency of the cross.

Scriptural Consistency and Historical Manuscript Evidence

The letter to the Colossians, which contains this teaching, is attested by early manuscripts such as P46 (Chester Beatty Papyrus II), dating from around the late second to early third century. These manuscripts align closely with later copies, demonstrating consistent transmission of Paul’s writings.

Additionally, archaeological discoveries, such as the synagogue remains in Asia Minor, corroborate the historical contexts in which Paul wrote (e.g., references to the expansion of early Christian communities around the eastern Mediterranean). Such findings provide cultural and geographic backdrops that fit with Luke’s accounts in Acts, reinforcing the authenticity of Paul’s epistles.

No Deficiency in the God-Man’s Sufferings

Scripture clearly declares Christ’s work as once-for-all (Hebrews 7:27). There is no further need for blood sacrifice or atonement (Hebrews 9:12). Therefore, Colossians 1:24 does not question the sufficiency of Christ’s offering; instead, it underscores how believers experience a continuation of Christ’s ministry. When they encounter hardship for His name, those experiences serve to highlight, rather than diminish, the completed atonement.

Practical Reflections

1. Endurance and Witness – As believers endure difficulties while remaining faithful, they become living testimonies to the saving power of Christ. This endurance can draw non-believers to investigate and ultimately embrace the truth of the gospel.

2. Service to the Church – Trials borne with faith and hope unite believers with others in the body of Christ, providing encouragement, prayer, and mutual support. Such shared burdens foster a tangible expression of love and unity that models Jesus’ selfless nature.

3. Glorifying God – The ultimate purpose of sharing in Christ’s afflictions is to bring glory to God. As suffering is met with faith and perseverance, it displays God’s sustaining grace and highlights the transformative power of the cross.

Conclusion

“What is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” does not imply a shortfall in the atoning work of the Savior. Instead, it refers to the believer’s privilege to share in Christ’s sufferings for the sake of the church’s growth, testimony, and unity. Colossians 1:24 highlights a profound spiritual truth: Jesus, having once for all achieved salvation, invites His people to live out and display the power of that salvation in the midst of various trials.

In this sense, Paul and all who follow Christ “fill up” in their own experiences the afflictions that continue to manifest Christ’s redemptive narrative to a watching world. Nothing is missing in regard to the finished work of the cross; rather, faithful believers continually convey Christ’s sacrificial love until He returns.